Spaghetti Squash Pad Thai (2024)

If you have a weak spot for Thai takeout, this just might be the healthy alternative to help curb the craving. Packed full of all the flavors, herbs, and spices you love. BUT, also so stuffed full of veggies and chicken, you can have a huge portion! This part’s important to me. Haha.

Since spaghetti squash have a great shelf life, I usually always have them on hand. They’re such a great low-carb base for so many meals! And you can feel extra good knowing they’re high vitamin C, vitamin B6, betacarotene and fiber! There’s a quiz. later.

It’s nothing like a pasta noodle, and yet my FAVORITE sub for a pasta noodle! Ha. It really fits perfectly in this lower carb Pad Thai. Just make sure you don’t overcook it. We don’t want squash mush for noodles!

How to Cook Your Spaghetti Squash

If you have already have a favorite, go ahead and cook your spaghetti squash using the method you know and love. I usually love mine roasted, but for this I actually just poked it several times and microwaved it for about 8 minutes, rotating it a couple of times, and making sure it wasn’t going to burst! If you use the microwave method, you’ll want it to be a little tender to the touch. You can then (using hot pads) remove it from the microwave, cut it in half, remove the seeds, and pull and fluff the strands with a fork. And remember not to overcook. Al dente is best!

What you need to Make Spaghetti Squash Pad Thai

You’ll Need:

• Spaghetti squash, cooked*, or 3 cups (500 g of cooked strands)
• Chicken breasts, chopped into bite-sized pieces (525 g)
• Salt, pepper, and garlic powder
• Bell pepper, sliced thin (140 g)
• White onion, sliced thin (140 g)
• Green onions, chopped (40 g)
• Carrots, shredded or cut into matchsticks (85 g)
• Mung bean sprouts (85 g)
• Shisito peppers, chopped (45 g) (or sub extra bell peppers or jalapenos for a kick)
• Cilantro, chopped (1 cup or 30 g)
• 1 egg + 2 whites, whisked

For the Sauce You’ll Need:

• Soy sauce (45 g)
• Natural peanut butter (30 g)
• Rice vinegar (30 g)
• Ginger, minced (or 8 frozen Dorot cubes)
• Garlic, minced (2 frozen cubes)
• Honey (15 g)
• Sesame oil (5 g)
• Sriracha (5 g)
• Lime, juiced (15 g)

While your spaghetti squash is cooking (using your whatever method you prefer) you can whip up this light sauce. It’s as easy as whisking all the ingredients together in a bowl. Viola!

How to Make Spaghetti Squash Pad Thai

Chop your uncooked chicken breasts or tenderloins into bite-sized pieces, against the grain. Then heat a large, heavy-bottomed skillet or cast iron pan over high heat with a spritz of avocado oil spray. Sprinkle your chicken liberally with kosher salt, garlic powder, and some cracked pepper and add to the very hot pan in a single layer. Let them sit undisturbed on each side for about 2-3 minutes to get some nice color, then remove them from the pan and set aside.

Give the hot pan another spritz of avocado oil, and add the white onion. Cook for 1-2 minutes until the delicious onion smell begins to fill the kitchen and they get nice and soft. Then add your bell pepper, green onions, carrots, bean sprouts, and shish*to peppers (if using.) Then add in your eggs and whites. Stir and cook veggies and eggs for 1-2 minutes, then mix in your spaghetti squash, and sauce.

Finally, add your chicken back to the pan along with the cilantro and turn off the heat. Give it a good toss and it’s ready to enjoy!

Serving Suggestions

Adding optional toasted and crushed almonds or peanuts on top is my favorite! And you can’t go wrong with extra herbs and sriracha, of course. This Pad Thai is a great stand alone dish because it’s got everything you need, protein, veggies, herbs, spices! But, if you’re wanting to whip up a little something as a side, my Asian Edamame Salad would pair nicely!

Similar Recipes

If Asian spices are a must have in your weekly menu, try out these other macro friendly Asian inspired recipes!

Quick Thai Chicken Salad – Lillie Eats and Tells

Easy Spiced Pork Poke Bowl – Lillie Eats and Tells

Thai Basil Turkey Veggie Skillet – Lillie Eats and Tells

Are you following along onInstagram? Be sure to check in there for snack ideas, quick recipes, and more! You can also check out myLillie Eats and Tells Macro Friendly Cookbookfor more on macro-friendly eating, and even more recipes!